VULVODYNIA BRIEFS

Vulvodynia literally means pain at the vulva.

There are two forms of vulvodynia:

Mainly in young women: prolonged and often recurring pain in the vulva when touched, for example, by the penis during penetration (intercourse), but also when cycling or when wearing tight clothing (jeans).
Especially in women around the time of menopause (transition): prolonged and more or less constant pain at the vulva, which can radiate to for example the anus or the groin.

It is possible to have vulvodynia and at the same time have a condition of the vulva such as vulvar eczema or lichen sclerosus.

What symptoms do you have?

1) Searing sensation or burning pain at the vulva

2) Sometimes you can still have intercourse, sometimes you cannot

3) Sometimes the pain subsides briefly during intercourse, but then unfortunately becomes palpable again. Due to sexual arousal, the pain may fade into the background for a while

4) If lovemaking hurts, or you are afraid that it will hurt, the desire and sexual arousal often become less; causing you to become less moist, and the friction and pain only get worse. Getting ready can become more difficult

5) When lovemaking hurts, you may become tense, causing your pelvic floor muscles to tighten too much; causing more friction during intercourse and making the pain worse

6) You may have pain when wearing tight clothing such as pants and thongs, or when biking or swimming

7) Sometimes sitting is painful and not possible

What can you see?

Sometimes nothing can be seen. Then we call it vulvodynia.

Sometimes there is a physical condition of the vulva such as eczema or lichen sclerosus. At info you will find what you can see in your vulva at the relevant disease sites.

Is more examination needed?

First of all, a doctor will look at whether there is a physical cause for the pain. If so, that disease will be treated.

Sometimes there is no obvious physical abnormality in the vulva. The doctor will then look to see if

1) when touched with a cotton swab, the burning pain occurs

2) the pelvic floor muscles are tense

How to get rid of it.

Treatment will largely consist of:

1) Sexological help (possibly together with partner)

2) Pelvic physiotherapy

The sex therapist can help to break the vicious circle. Possibly together with your partner you will look for ways to have nice sex without pain (that usually means no intercourse for a while). You will learn to let the vulva relax again. And you learn to relax the tense pelvic floor muscles. A pelvic physiotherapist can help you learn to reduce the muscle tension.

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